Brazil mourns nightclub fire victims

January 28, 2013 9:48 AM

Photo: Nabor Goulart

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Relatives and friends mourn on the coffin containing the remains of a fire victim at a gymnasium where bodies were brought for identification in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. A fast-moving fire roared through the crowded, windowless Kiss nightclub in southern Brazil early Sunday, within seconds filling the space with flames and a thick, toxic smoke that killed more than 230 panicked partygoers who gasped for breath and fought in a stampede to escape.(AP Photo/Felipe Dana) less

Relatives and friends mourn on the coffin containing the remains of a fire victim at a gymnasium where bodies were brought for identification in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. ... more

Firefighters work to douse a fire at the Kiss Club in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Firefighters say that the death toll from a fire that swept through a crowded nightclub in southern Brazil has risen to 180. Officials say the fire broke out at the club while a band was performing. At least 200 people were also injured. (AP Photo/Agencia RBS) less

Firefighters work to douse a fire at the Kiss Club in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Firefighters say that the death toll from a fire that swept through a crowded ... more

Firefighters work to douse a fire at the Kiss Club in Santa Maria... Photo-4096050.55834 - seattlepi.com

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A man carries an injured victim of a fire at the Kiss club in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, early Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Firefighters say that the death toll from a fire that swept through a crowded nightclub in southern Brazil has risen to 180. Officials say the fire broke out while a band was performing. At least 200 people ere also injured. (AP Photo/Agencia RBS) less

A man carries an injured victim of a fire at the Kiss club in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, early Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Firefighters say that the death toll from a fire that swept ... more

Photo: Associated Press

A man carries an injured victim of a fire at the Kiss club in... Photo-4096541.55834 - seattlepi.com

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A man stands around coffins containing the remains of victims after the bodies were identified at a gymnasium in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. A fast-moving fire roared through the crowded, windowless Kiss nightclub in southern Brazil early Sunday, within seconds filling the space with flames and a thick, toxic smoke that killed more than 230 panicked partygoers who gasped for breath and fought in a stampede to escape.(AP Photo/Felipe Dana) less

A man stands around coffins containing the remains of victims after the bodies were identified at a gymnasium in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. A fast-moving fire ... more

Firefighters try to put out a fire at a nightclub in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2012. The death toll climbed to 150 early Sunday as firefighters searched the charred remains of the establishment, television Globo reported. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff interrupted her visit to Chile. AFP PHOTO / AGENCIA RBS / GERMANO RORATTO / BRAZIL OUTGermano Roratto/AFP/Getty Images less

Firefighters try to put out a fire at a nightclub in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2012. The death toll climbed to 150 early Sunday as firefighters searched the charred ... more

Photo: Germano Roratto, AFP/Getty Images

Firefighters try to put out a fire at a nightclub in Santa Maria,... Photo-4095178.55834 - seattlepi.com

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Firefighters try to put out a fire at a nightclub in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2012. The death toll climbed to 150 early Sunday as firefighters searched the charred remains of the establishment, television Globo reported. AFP PHOTO / AGENCIA RBS / GERMANO RORATTO / BRAZIL OUTGermano Roratto/AFP/Getty Images less

Firefighters try to put out a fire at a nightclub in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2012. The death toll climbed to 150 early Sunday as firefighters searched the charred ... more

Photo: Germano Roratto, AFP/Getty Images

Firefighters try to put out a fire at a nightclub in Santa Maria,... Photo-4095155.55834 - seattlepi.com

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Police agents give water to a woman after a fire at a nightclub in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2012. More than 150 people died early Sunday when a fire tore through a nightclub in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria during a boisterous student party, police said. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff interrupted her visit to Chile. AFP PHOTO / AGENCIA RBS / LAURO ALVES / BRAZIL OUTLAURO ALVES/AFP/Getty Images less

Police agents give water to a woman after a fire at a nightclub in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2012. More than 150 people died early Sunday when a fire tore through a ... more

Photo: Lauro Alves, AFP/Getty Images

Police agents give water to a woman after a fire at a nightclub in... Photo-4095165.55834 - seattlepi.com

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A victim of a fire in a club is carried in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, early Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. According to police more than 200 died in the devastating nightclub fire in southern Brazil. Officials say the fire broke out at the Kiss club in the city of Santa Maria while a band was performing. At least 200 people were also injured. (AP Photo/Deivid Dutra/Agencia Freelancer) less

A victim of a fire in a club is carried in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, early Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. According to police more than 200 died in the devastating nightclub fire in ... more

Photo: Deivid Dutra, Associated Press

A victim of a fire in a club is carried in Santa Maria city, Rio... Photo-4095166.55834 - seattlepi.com

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A firefighter inspects the discotheque after a fire in which 194 people died on December 31, 2004 in Buenos Aires. At least 232 people died on January 27, 2013 when a fire tore through a nightclub packed with university students in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria, police said. AFP PHOTO/PABLO CUARTEROLOPABLO CUARTEROLO/AFP/Getty Images less

A firefighter inspects the discotheque after a fire in which 194 people died on December 31, 2004 in Buenos Aires. At least 232 people died on January 27, 2013 when a fire tore through a nightclub packed with ... more

Photo: Pablo Cuarterolo, AFP/Getty Images

A firefighter inspects the discotheque after a fire in which 194... Photo-4095158.55834 - seattlepi.com

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--- BRAZIL OUT ---
Rescue workers investigate Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2013. At least 232 people died and 131 were injured early Sunday when a fire tore through a nightclub packed with university students in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria, police said. AFP PHOTO / Correio do Povo/ Tarsila PereiraTARSILA PEREIRA/AFP/Getty Images less

--- BRAZIL OUT ---
Rescue workers investigate Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2013. At least 232 people died and 131 were injured early Sunday when a ... more

--- BRAZIL OUT ---
Rescue workers investigate Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2013. At least 232 people died and 131 were injured early Sunday when a fire tore through a nightclub packed with university students in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria, police said. AFP PHOTO / Correio do Povo/ Tarsila PereiraTARSILA PEREIRA/AFP/Getty Images less

--- BRAZIL OUT ---
Rescue workers investigate Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2013. At least 232 people died and 131 were injured early Sunday when a ... more

A woman cries over the coffin of a victim at a gymnasium where bodies were brought for identification in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Flames raced through a crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early Sunday, killing more than 230 people as panicked partygoers gasped for breath in the smoke-filled air, stampeding toward a single exit partially blocked by those already dead. (AP Photo/Nabor Goulart) less

A woman cries over the coffin of a victim at a gymnasium where bodies were brought for identification in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Flames raced through a crowded ... more

Photo: Nabor Goulart

A woman cries over the coffin of a victim at a gymnasium where... Photo-4096047.55834 - seattlepi.com

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Relatives of victims react in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. A blaze raced through the crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early Sunday, killing more than 200 people as the air filled with deadly smoke and panicked party-goers stampeded toward the exits, police and witnesses said. It appeared to be the world's deadliest nightclub fire in more than a decade.(AP Photo/Evandro Sturm) less

Relatives of victims react in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. A blaze raced through the crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early Sunday, killing more than 200 people ... more

Relatives of victims react as they wait for news near the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. According to police more than 200 died in the devastating nightclub fire in southern Brazil. Officials say the fire broke out at the club while a band was performing. (AP Photo/Ronald Mendes-Agencia RBS) less

Relatives of victims react as they wait for news near the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. According to police more than 200 died in the devastating ... more

Photo: Ronald Mendes

Relatives of victims react as they wait for news near the Kiss... Photo-4096049.55834 - seattlepi.com

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ALTERNATIVE CROP OF XSI103.- People help an injured man, victim of a fire in a club in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. According to police more than 200 died in the devastating nightclub fire in southern Brazil. Officials say the fire broke out at the Kiss club in the city of Santa Maria while a band was performing. At least 200 people were also injured. (AP Photo/Agencia RBS) less

ALTERNATIVE CROP OF XSI103.- People help an injured man, victim of a fire in a club in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. According to police more than 200 died in the ... more

Relatives of victims react as they wait for news in fron of the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. According to police more than 200 died in the devastating nightclub fire in southern Brazil. Officials say the fire broke out at the club while a band was performing. (AP Photo/Ronald Mendes-Agencia RBS) less

Relatives of victims react as they wait for news in fron of the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. According to police more than 200 died in the ... more

Photo: Ronald Mendes

Relatives of victims react as they wait for news in fron of the... Photo-4096054.55834 - seattlepi.com

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Relatives of victims react near the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. According to police more than 200 died in the devastating nightclub fire in southern Brazil. Officials say the fire broke out at the club while a band was performing. (AP Photo/Ronald Mendes-Agencia RBS) less

Relatives of victims react near the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. According to police more than 200 died in the devastating nightclub fire in ... more

Injured people lies on the ground outside the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. A blaze raced through the crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early Sunday, killing more than 200 people as the air filled with deadly smoke and panicked party-goers stampeded toward the exits, police and witnesses said. It appeared to be the world's deadliest nightclub fire in more than a decade.(AP Photo/Roger Shlossmacker) less

Injured people lies on the ground outside the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. A blaze raced through the crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early ... more

Relatives of victims react in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. A blaze raced through the crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early Sunday, killing more than 200 people as the air filled with deadly smoke and panicked party-goers stampeded toward the exits, police and witnesses said. It appeared to be the world's deadliest nightclub fire in more than a decade.(AP Photo/Evandro Sturm) less

Relatives of victims react in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. A blaze raced through the crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early Sunday, killing more than 200 people ... more

Brazil's soldiers carry a container with the remains of a victim outside a gymnasium where bodies were brought for identification in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Flames raced through a crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early Sunday, killing more than 230 people as panicked partygoers gasped for breath in the smoke-filled air, stampeding toward a single exit partially blocked by those already dead. (AP Photo/Nabor Goulart) less

Brazil's soldiers carry a container with the remains of a victim outside a gymnasium where bodies were brought for identification in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. ... more

Photo: Nabor Goulart

Brazil's soldiers carry a container with the remains of a... Photo-4096058.55834 - seattlepi.com

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Relatives cry next to a coffin at a gymnasium where bodies were brought for identification in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Flames raced through a crowded nightclub in southern Brazil early Sunday, killing more than 230 people as panicked partygoers gasped for breath in the smoke-filled air, stampeding toward a single exit partially blocked by those already dead. (AP Photo/Nabor Goulart) less

Relatives cry next to a coffin at a gymnasium where bodies were brought for identification in Santa Maria city, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Flames raced through a crowded nightclub ... more

Photo: Nabor Goulart

Relatives cry next to a coffin at a gymnasium where bodies were... Photo-4096061.55834 - seattlepi.com

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The victims of a nightclub fire receive medical assistance in a street of Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2012. The death toll climbed to 150 early Sunday as firefighters searched the charred remains of the establishment, television Globo reported. AFP PHOTO / AGENCIA RBS / GERMANO RORATTO / BRAZIL OUTGermano Roratto/AFP/Getty Images less

The victims of a nightclub fire receive medical assistance in a street of Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2012. The death toll climbed to 150 early Sunday as firefighters ... more

Relatives of victims embrace next to an ambulance after a fire at a nightclub in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2012. The death toll from a fire that tore through a Brazilian nightclub packed with students has risen to 245, an official said Sunday as investigators dug through the charred remains of the building. AFP PHOTO / AGENCIA RBS /Felix Zucco / BRAZIL OUTFelix Zucco/AFP/Getty Images less

Relatives of victims embrace next to an ambulance after a fire at a nightclub in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2012. The death toll from a fire that tore through a ... more

Photo: Felix Zucco, AFP/Getty Images

Relatives of victims embrace next to an ambulance after a fire at a... Photo-4095164.55834 - seattlepi.com

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Relatives of victims from a fire that broke out at a nightclub weep during their funeral in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2013. At least 232 people died and 131 were injured early Sunday when a fire tore through a nightclub packed with university students in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria, police said. AFP PHOTO / Jefferson BERNARDESJEFFERSON BERNARDES/AFP/Getty Images less

Relatives of victims from a fire that broke out at a nightclub weep during their funeral in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2013. At least 232 people died and 131 were ... more

Photo: Jefferson Bernardes, AFP/Getty Images

Relatives of victims from a fire that broke out at a nightclub weep... Photo-4095153.55834 - seattlepi.com

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Relatives of victims from a fire that broke out at a nightclub weep during their funeral in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2013. At least 232 people died and 131 were injured early Sunday when a fire tore through a nightclub packed with university students in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria, police said. AFP PHOTO / Jefferson BERNARDESJEFFERSON BERNARDES/AFP/Getty Images less

Relatives of victims from a fire that broke out at a nightclub weep during their funeral in Santa Maria, 550 Km from Porto Alegre, southern Brazil on January 27, 2013. At least 232 people died and 131 were ... more

Photo: Jefferson Bernardes, AFP/Getty Images

Relatives of victims from a fire that broke out at a nightclub weep... Photo-4095140.55834 - seattlepi.com